Women's Lacrosse Selected Seventh In Preseason Poll; Ochwat Named To Preseason All-Conference Team

EDISON, N.J. – The Quinnipiac University women's lacrosse team was selected to finish seventh in the preseason poll of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, head coaches released on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014. Junior attack Kyra Ochwat (Farmingdale, N.Y.) was chosen to represent Quinnipiac on the All-MAAC Preseason Team as well.

Last season, the Bobcats finished in fifth place in the league standings in their final season as a member of the Northeast Conference. The Bobcats finished 7-8 overall and 5-4 in league competition just missing out on the postseason tournament. It was the first time since 2003 that the Bobcats failed to qualify for the four team tournament.

The Golden Griffins will return 2013 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year Tori Quinn as well as 2013 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Kayla Scully. Canisius had seven players named to All-MAAC teams in 2013. Five of those players will be returning for another season in Buffalo. Canisius also recently received votes in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Preseason Poll for the first time in school history.

In addition to the preseason poll, the MAAC released its preseason All-Conference team as well. Ochwat was named to the team after earning the respect of the other coaches for her stellar play last season. Canisius' Maria Kotas and Tori Quinn were named preseason co-players of the year.

After a solid freshman year Ochwat was even better in her sophomore campaign. Ochwat was named First Team All-Northeast Conference in 2013 after posting Quinnipiac and Northeast Conference highs in goals (41) and points per game (4.21). Ochwat has 98 goals through her first two seasons and is on pace to challenge Sarah Allen's '13 career point total.

After the regular season, the MAAC's top four seeds will compete for the 2014 MAAC Championship, and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The entire tournament will take place at Canisius' home site, Demske Sports Complex, in Buffalo, N.Y. The semifinals will take place on Friday, May 2 with the championship scheduled for Sunday, May 4.

Quinnipiac's opener will takes place on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Storrs, Conn. against UConn. Quinnipiac's home opener will be Sunday, Mar. 9th at 1 PM against Hofstra.

Student-Athletes, parents and fans can download the 2013-14 QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Fans can also follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.